Ofte stilte spørsmål om Axonklinikken og ketaminbehandling

Most people who turn to us have depression as their main problem. Many may also have symptoms of anxiety and trauma disorders. Common to these ailments are often underlying memories from past life events. In conversation with a doctor during the initial psychiatric and medical consultation, we will clarify whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a good alternative for you and your situation. Ketamine is a legal drug that we use outside the approved indication ("off label") when we treat mental disorders. Ketamine treatment can make it easier to address painful and difficult memories that you may have spent a lot of energy and time repressing. Even when the ailments do not have a clear triggering cause, the form of treatment can be beneficial for creating new insight, psychological flexibility and a changed perspective on life.

Awakn Clinics are the first in Norway to offer ketamine treatment with integrated psychotherapy (KAP) Ketamine is used alone at other clinics in Norway and abroad as a treatment for mental illness. Some studies show that ketamine can have a fast-acting antidepressant effect, but that relapse after treatment often occurs if it is not combined with psychotherapy. Ketamine alone increases the brain's flexibility and neuroplasticity, but studies also suggest that many are unable to complete ketamine treatment without psychotherapy due to transient anxiety and dissociation that can be experienced during treatment. Psychotherapy immediately after ketamine treatment utilizes the brain's increased capacity for change. Impressions from the ketamine experience are processed, and you work together with your therapist to reduce the chance of relapse of mental illness. This is how you optimize the effect of the treatment.

Ketamine is a legal drug that is safe to use under most medical and psychiatric conditions. Our use of the drug is outside the approved indication ("off label") and it is therefore extra important to us that all treatment is medically sound, in the patient's best interest, and well thought out. Unfortunately, there are some conditions that exclude you from treatment with ketamine: Unstable blood pressure Heart problems Severe liver and kidney diseases Pregnancy and breastfeeding We only treat patients who are over 18 years of age. If you have a history of psychotic episodes or hallucinations (e.g. schizophrenia or bipolar type 1), or are considered at high risk of suicide, the mandatory health requirements for treatment will most likely not be met. Nevertheless, each referral and each case will be treated individually and discussed carefully between our specialists before treatment is refused or approved. Exceptions to the criteria are only made on an individual basis after thorough evaluation of risk and benefit.

The treatment is currently not covered by Helfo or other public health funds. The Directorate of Health often spends several years on an assessment process around financial support for new medicines and treatments. Today, you as a patient therefore have to finance the treatment yourself.

No, you do not need a referral from a doctor or psychologist. You can contact the desired clinic yourself and ask to be assessed for treatment. However, to provide an optimal starting point for the process, we need confirmation from a doctor or psychologist of some information about your health before we can start ketamine treatment. Here is the health request form you can share with them.

If, after a broad assessment of your psychiatric and medical health situation, we find that you meet the criteria for ketamine treatment, you will be set up for preparatory sessions with your regular therapist. Some may experience nausea after injection, and you are therefore advised to avoid large meals on the day of treatment, and/or solid food four hours before treatment. It is also easier for you if you wear comfortable clothes that allow easy access to the shoulder. A few may experience dizziness in addition to nausea, and driving is not permitted after the treatment. A requirement is also that you must arrange a ride home after treatment.

During the telephone conversation, you will receive an introduction to ketamine treatment, and we will discuss your diagnosis and previous treatments. We will also answer any questions you may have. After the telephone conversation, you can decide whether you want to proceed with a psychiatric and medical consultation.

You will meet with a doctor/psychiatrist who will assess your medical and mental health history, discuss your symptoms and decide whether ketamine treatment is appropriate for you.

After the consultation, our team will recommend a course of treatment that is suitable for you. You will then be able to start treatment according to the recommended plan.

Yes, after the medical consultation and recommendation from our team, we set up the other treatments in line with your treatment plan.

The entire recommended course of treatment for KAP over 2-4 weeks costs a total of NOK 45,000, distributed. This includes all necessary consultations, ketamine treatments, psychotherapy and follow-up.

Awakn offers several payment options for the treatment. Payment can be made in full at the clinic with Vipps or credit card, or you can split the treatment cost into affordable instalments. With Klarna, they offer partial payment of 6, 12 or 24 months.

The treatment is currently not covered by Helfo or other public health funds. The Directorate of Health often spends several years on an assessment process around financial support for new medicines and treatments. Today, you as a patient therefore have to finance the treatment yourself.

It is introduced intramuscularly by injection into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (as with vaccination)

Hallucinogenic substances can help to "silence" parts of the brain that are linked to negative thoughts and behavior patterns, while stimulating new, positive connections and increasing cognitive flexibility. The treatment combines talk therapy with hallucinogenic substances to help process problems more effectively than with talk therapy alone. This can lead to lasting changes and increased resistance to difficult thoughts and feelings throughout life.

Ketamine can lead to increased neuroplasticity (stimulation to the formation of new connections between brain cells). The effects are complex, but research shows that it involves repairing brain systems damaged by chronic stress. Ketamine disrupts negative and maladaptive brain networks, allowing new, positive connections to form in their place. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) can help free you from automatic and negative thought and behavior patterns, and give the patient a unique insight and approach to their own traumas and problems. As with all treatment and therapy, it is important to apply new learning and insight into your daily life to maintain the positive changes (reinforcing behaviour). Your regular therapist will support and help you with this.

A conversation session lasts 50 minutes. A treatment session with ketamine lasts approximately 2 hours. After these hours, you will also be offered to stay longer at the clinic, until you feel ready for the trip home. It is not allowed to drive after the treatment, and we ask you to arrange a ride home in advance. Before the start of the session, we ask you to name a person who can accompany you home after the treatment.

If, after the initial medical assessment, it is found that ketamine treatment may be right for you, we will work together to create a treatment plan adapted to your situation. Two preparatory hours with a permanent therapist are mandatory; after this, you choose how many ketamine treatments and psychotherapy sessions you want to make an agreement about. For a good and lasting result of treatments, we usually recommend that you carry out at least four ketamine treatments during the first weeks.

Yes, ketamine is very safe. It is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, and it is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. Ketamine is used daily as an anesthetic for both adults and children, and it is a safe and effective anesthetic for minor operations. Our dosage is 10 times less than the dose used in hospitals for anesthesia. Before starting ketamine treatment, you will receive all your questions and all the necessary information in detail. Trust and security are our highest priority.

Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist that affects several receptor systems in the brain. At very high doses, it acts as an anesthetic that puts you in a deep, dreamless state, i.e. narcosis. At lower dosages, it creates an altered state of consciousness which, combined with psychotherapy, makes possible an effective, unique and safe treatment to change how the brain pathways work. Ketamine disrupts negative and maladaptive brain networks, and can create new positive connections.

The effect will be felt after 5 minutes and lasts for approximately 90 minutes. You will be looked after throughout the experience. After the treatment, you can relax in comfortable and quiet surroundings until you are ready to be taken home.

Ketamine is a hallucinogen and therefore has a dissociative effect. This involves an experience of increased distance from reality and one's own body. Some explain it as an out-of-body experience. It is this effect, together with psychotherapy, that can give patients new insight and reflection on their own problems - always in collaboration with an experienced therapist.

Ketamine is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, and has a very low risk profile. Common side effects are a dissociated feeling where thoughts separate from the physical body. This can make some anxious, but it is temporary, and the vast majority handle it just fine with a therapist in the room who ensures a safe experience. Some describe a feeling of lightheadedness, or dizziness and slight nausea, and you are therefore recommended to fast 4 hours before injecting ketamine. Many say they feel more tired than usual after a ketamine treatment, and it may be a good idea to keep the rest of the day open for rest. In a very few cases, manic or depressive thoughts are reported. If this happens, you must inform the clinic as soon as you can, and we will assist and support you through this. You will always be closely monitored by our experienced therapists. The effect of ketamine leaves the body approximately 60-90 minutes after the injection. The risks and benefits of the treatment are discussed in detail with you and all your questions are answered before the treatment begins.

Depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, eating disorders and chronic pain. Common to these ailments are often underlying memories and images from past trauma and loss. Ketamine treatment can make it easier to address painful and difficult memories that you may have spent a lot of energy and time repressing. Even when the ailments do not have a clear triggering cause, the form of treatment can be beneficial for creating new insight and a changed perspective on life.

Axonklinikken is the only one in Norway that offers integrated psychotherapy (KAP) which provides better and more long-lasting effects. Ketamine is used alone as a treatment for depression at many other clinics in Norway and abroad. Some studies show that ketamine can have a fast-acting antidepressant effect, but that relapse after treatment often occurs if it is not combined with psychotherapy. Studies also show that many do not complete the treatment due to temporary anxiety and dissociation that can be experienced during the treatment. Ketamine alone increases brain flexibility and neuroplasticity. These effects lay the foundation for better benefits from talk therapy. In addition, psychotherapy can help to reduce the chance of recurrence of mental illness, and support patients through any unpleasant experiences. This is how you optimize the effect of the treatment.

No, you do not need a referral from a doctor or psychologist. You can contact the desired clinic yourself and ask to be assessed for treatment. However, to provide an optimal starting point for the process, we need confirmation from a doctor or psychologist of some information about your health before we can start ketamine treatment. Here is the health request form you can share with them.

Yes, both clinics offer the same treatment programmes.

Yes, both the Oslo and Trondheim clinics are easily accessible via public transport.

Both clinics are in the city center and unfortunately we do not have our own parking spaces.

Cancellations must be made within 24 hours (during the office's opening hours) before the scheduled consultation, otherwise the full fee will be charged. NB: For consultations on Mondays, the appointment must be canceled no later than 12.00 the Friday before.

Contact the clinic to cancel or change a service. Please note that cancellation policies and fees may apply.

If you arrive late, your time may be shortened, or you may have to make a new appointment. Contact the clinic as soon as possible if you expect to be delayed.